Field marshal directs army’s full mobilisation in flood-hit areas: ISPR DG

Pakistan’s devastating monsoon floods have claimed 670 lives and left over 1,000 injured, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

Relief efforts led by the Pakistan Army, NDMA, and government agencies are in full swing, with 25,000 people shifted to safe locations so far.

DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on the instructions of Field Marshal Asim Munir, the Army, rescue teams, and Army Aviation are actively engaged in flood-hit areas. So far, 6,903 people have been rescued, while more than 6,000 have received medical assistance at army-run camps.

Special medical teams from CMH and army battalions have been deployed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan. Army helicopters are delivering rations and medicines to inaccessible areas, while engineers are working round the clock to restore damaged roads and bridges.

“One day’s ration of the Pakistan Army has been allocated for the victims,” said DG ISPR, adding that 90 roads in KP had been destroyed but restoration efforts are underway.

Federal govt mobilises relief

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the government has intensified relief operations following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s orders. So far, 1,200 tents and a special medical team from PIMS Hospital have been dispatched to affected areas.

Power supply, severely damaged in Swat, Shangla, and Bajaur, has been 70% restored, with the Energy Minister personally monitoring the situation on the ground. Roads in Malakand and Bisham and the N-90 highway have also been reopened.

“The Prime Minister has made it clear that in this difficult time, we are all one,” Tarar said.

NDMA warns of fresh rains

NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik said the floods were triggered by glacier melting and cloudbursts in the northern areas. He warned of another intense spell of rain from August 23, urging authorities to stay alert.

The NDMA has sent a third batch of relief goods, including rations and medicines, to five KP districts under the PM’s Ration Package. Malik confirmed that 50% of highway restoration work is already complete, with a full survey underway to assess total losses.

Disaster impact so far

• Deaths: 670

• Injured: 1,000+

• Rescued: 25,000 people

• Medical aid provided: 6,000+

• Infrastructure: 90 roads destroyed in KP, multiple bridges damaged

With further rains expected, the government, Army, and NDMA have pledged to continue coordinated efforts to protect lives and speed up rehabilitation in flood-affected regions.

Pakistan is reeling from widespread monsoon rains and flash floods that have killed more than 400 people across multiple regions.

Hundreds of homes, roads, and bridges have been destroyed, while relief operations are underway to support affected communities.

Heavy losses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), at least 357 people have lost their lives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The dead include 41 women and 29 children, while 178 others were injured in various rain-related accidents.

Floods and landslides also caused extensive damage to infrastructure, leaving 602 houses damaged, of which 182 were completely destroyed, displacing many families.

In South Waziristan, heavy rain and flash floods have washed away the Splatoi and Medina Morr bridges, as well as several acres of farmland.

Gilgit-Baltistan struggles to restore connectivity

In Gilgit-Baltistan, the death toll has risen to 14, with three people reported missing, according to the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA).

Relief and restoration work continues round the clock as the Baltistan Highway was cut off due to flooding at Ustak Nullah, leaving four districts isolated. The National Highway Authority worked round the clock to reopen the route, as the blockade triggered a fuel shortage in the region.

Deaths and destruction in Azad Kashmir

The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) confirmed that 19 people were killed in Azad Kashmir, including eight men, six women, and five children in the ongoing spell of rain, cloudbursts, and floods. At least 16 others were injured.

The floods wreaked havoc on infrastructure, destroying 404 houses (87 completely), 27 shops, 13 windmills, 20 bridges, and 26 small hydropower stations. Around 24 kilometres of roads were also washed away, severely affecting mobility.

Swabi cloudburst deaths

In Swabi district, Monday’s cloudburst in Dalori village killed 17 people, including children and women, out of which 13 bodies had been retrieved. Rescue teams, assisted by the Pakistan Army and TMA, deployed heavy machinery, seven excavators, six ambulances, two rescue vehicles to clear debris and search for survivors.

Rising water levels in Punjab rivers

The PDMA warned of moderate flood risks in Punjab rivers as the water level continues to increase.

• At Tarbela, water flow has reached 309,000 cusecs, experiencing a low-level flood in the Indus River, while Kalabagh and Chashma are experiencing medium-level floods with flows exceeding 440,000 cusecs and 492,000 cusecs, respectively.
• There is a moderate flood situation at Taunsa with the water flow being recorded at 489,000 cusecs.
• In the Ravi River, water flow has climbed to 53,000 cusecs, prompting a high alert for possible flooding in the next 24 hours. The water flow at Shahdara is 36,000 cusecs and the flow is normal. The expected monsoon rains may cause moderate flooding in the river.
• In Jhelum, flooding fears have risen after a pond dam breach at Kandwal, which submerged homes and roads. The Mangla Dam is currently storing water at 1,215 feet, close to its maximum capacity of 1,242 feet.

Relief operations continue nationwide

Rescue agencies, district administrations, and the armed forces are working on emergency operations across the country. Relief camps and rescue posts have been set up in affected areas, while restoration of roads, electricity, and fuel supplies remains a top priority.

The Ravi and Indus rivers are witnessing a surge in water levels, prompting authorities to declare low to moderate flood conditions in different areas of Punjab and Sindh.

The development comes after India released 150,000 cusecs of water into Pakistan.

Rising water levels in Ravi River

In Lahore, around 26,000 cusecs of water is flowing towards Shahdara, creating a low flood situation in The Ravi river. Settlements along the Ravi River have been evacuated as a precaution, while the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) remains on high alert.

In Narowal, the Irrigation Department reported 52,272 cusecs of water flowing in the Ravi, with the level continuing to rise. Several villages, including Bustan, Mandikhel, Kothe, and Dudhe have been inundated. Relief camps have been set up on riverbanks to assist affected families.

A farmer, who was spraying his rice crop, was caught in the sudden floodwaters but was rescued safely by his elder brother with the help of a tube.

Flood alert in Indus River

Meanwhile, in Sindh, water inflows at the Guddu and Sukkur Barrages have surged to alarming levels. The Irrigation Department confirmed an inflow of 360,769 cusecs at Guddu and 285,785 cusecs at Sukkur, causing a low-level flood.

Officials have warned of moderate flooding at Guddu Barrage within 72 hours and a low-level flood at Sukkur Barrage within 24 hours. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent damage to nearby settlements and agricultural lands.

Authorities on high alert

District administrations across affected regions have been directed to remain prepared for any emergency. Rescue teams, flood relief camps, and medical facilities have been put in place to respond quickly to worsening conditions.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Higher Education Department has announced the closure of all colleges and universities in the province’s winter zone from August 19 to August 25, 2025, due to forecasts of heavy rains, cloudbursts, and potential landslides.

Step taken to ensure safety

The department said the decision was made to safeguard the lives of students, teachers, and staff members amid looming weather threats. Authorities have warned that heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods and landslides in several parts of the province.

Online classes encouraged

According to the notification, educational institutions have been advised to adopt online teaching methods wherever possible to ensure learning continues during the closure.

Relief measures for affected areas

The KP education minister has said that plans are being prepared to provide relief to higher education institutions in areas severely affected by floods. He added that protecting students and ensuring continuity of education remain top priorities for the government.

Meanwhile, Rawalakot in Azad Kashmir has also been hit hard by torrential rains, leaving several key roads damaged and forcing the closure of educational institutions until August 23. The situation has disrupted daily life, with residents struggling to move between areas due to ongoing landslides.